The Washington critic., 1887-12-16
ROMANCE OF A R0SEBUSH


her bamboo rocker. at Is all fol dc rol,
say, for people to think they must
make up gimcracks that nobody wants
and scatter them about among their
friends"
"But it is for birthday present,
aunt"
"Wcll, what of that? Do you suppose
because my birthday happens to be COM
ing that / want any one to give me an
ungainly pincushion with two His
worked in the centre?"
"What il there should be three IIs?"
said Lottic, slyly, remembering old
Peter IIammond's clumsy attentions,
with, as he admitted, Fan eye to a snug
homc.n
whats that you say?" snapped Miss
Lotta.
Lottic did not venture u repetition, but
sat demurcly, considering what, under
the stress of circumstances, she should
do. Lottie was Miss lIenrietla's orphan
niece, and had been Ii member of her
household for nearly n year. She had
learned dearly to love the prim old lady,
though that love was not unmixed Will,
fear. Her wants had all been kindly
anticipated and generously supplied; but
now she had come 10 her aunt with n
request for few shillings TO spend on
triiles, of which Miss IIetta did not APP
prove, and had been fatty denied.
Oh, dear, what should She do? Harry
had always brought her some tasteful
gift, and She did so want 10 make him n
hatband for his new derby. She had
dreamed that she could not, and had put
IL off Ill tIn Last
The great drops wclled up suddenly
TO her eyes. If Miss, ,Ilctta saw any symp-
toms of hear tachc, she had had heart
aches herself, and they had never killed
her vet. But Lottie did not mean to
lroop. Auntic was usually kind, and
was albeit her only living relativc--cx-
ccpt Harry. Well, Harry was not II rel
atiyc cxactly--and, oh, dear, if she
could only have hatband.
She forced back the rebellious tears,
and went singing about the house like
the blithc girl she was.
The birthday morning arrived, and
the eproblem of Harry's present was, still
unsolved "1f l could just give him
something" she sighed, looking wist-
fully down the long street. "Oh," she
said, suddenly, clasping her hands, 81
will, will What q happy thought p
AIM Blu iIto tlouh
and hat and went skipping down the
street.
Doctor Beach, an eccentric bachelor,
lived in the rather lonely house at the
extreme end. of the street. I.ottic was
never sicl, herself, and Aunt Hetta never
employed Doctor Beach for her occa-
sional ailments, yet the bright-hearted
girl had contrived to make the acquaint-
ance of the uncouth doctor, who liked
her and called her Little Miss"
"What if the dear old man was little
gruffP He was good" And into his
office Lottie now went, assured of a
warm welcome. Absorbed in her own
interest, and intent on her errand, she
approached the bay window, where
stood the great monthly rose bush which
had been the wonder and envy Of the
admiring public since ALMOST before Lot
tie was born.
"Oh, DOCTOR" she said. 81 came to
me three or four of those lovely buds ?'
"What for?" growled the doctor, sav.
agely.
"You see," she began, ~ wanted to
make something pretty for birthday
gift for-for II friend, but | could not, -
choking a little, 'and had almost given
up hope of anything, when this morn.
ing, as glanced down the road. youi
beautiful roses seemed to say: Come
after u.s. so here l am. Flowers are
always nice to give, you know, and
had nome"
"Humph! why couldn't you make what
you wanted TOT"
Aunt Iletta would not let me-"
"Ilumph Is not Henrietta lIenshaw
good to your" he demanded, bristling up
"Oh, yes, as kind rs can be. But sht
loes not believe in birthday gifts, SHE
says"
"No."
"She might give you cent or two
from time to time; then you would have
fund to draw from"
"Oh, she does; l had So Monday that
] had not needed to use. But i saw
Jennie and Tommy Elroy, with theil
little bare toes peeping out of their OLD
shoes, and"--
$50 you squandercd your money tC
rlothe the feet of those little vaea
bonds?" growled the doctor wondering
why he hadn't seen the bare toes.
Eyes, | got shoes and the incest rec
stockings. Jenny cried and cried wher
she hugged me because she was Sc
glad" related Lottie, her quick tear
starting. i.sn
The doctor rubbed his knuckles vim
dictively in his own eyes.
"Well, little miss, II you had know
you could not get any more money 70
your flummery, would you have spen
all you had on the little beggars?"
II don't know; hope so; Pm sorr,
You asked me. | really think should
But did want the other so dreadful,
that might have saved out little"
"Nou could have got brown stock
ings."
50 could But | guess I'm glad
did not; the red ones are so much prct
tier, and the poor like pretty things u
well as the rich"
The doctor looked pondcringly ON tn
little miss. She was n pretty creature
and as innocent us she was pretty
Though she was II, her looks and ap
pearance would hardly have elaine,
FOR her fifteen well rounded years.
sit is bridal rose" said Lottie, keep
ing her errand in mind as she locke,
admiringly into the great bush, who's
beautiful blossoms rivaled the whitencs
Of the snow.
Humphi suppose so. You woul'
no. Ihink now that it had spoiled
we| ling, but it did, just fifteen year
a--this day"